Choosing Your Head Over Heart

I was in a really good mood when I got home today – had a meeting at work that went really well and excited that the long weekend is just around the corner… That is, until I opened a letter to find a speeding ticket :(. I was caught doing 42mph in a 30 zone which means that I am going to get a min. £60 fine and 3 points on my license. Gutted. Not good for insurance premiums.

Worse still, I don’t qualify for the ‘safer driving course’ alternative as I was >39 mph. I would have thought that the faster you are driving, the more suited you would be to the course! GRRRRRRR I am in such a bad mood now.

Has anyone else had speeding tickets? Did you contest them? By law I can request to see a calibration certificate for the device that they used (speed gun) but I could be shooting myself in the foot – they will likely get arsey back. I think I take it on the chin.

So if you are wondering what the decision is that I imply in the title, then wait no further….

I am selling my motorbike! 🙁

For those of you that have been reading this blog for some time, you will know that I love my bike. However, now that I am no longer using it to commute (it’s too far and too dangerous) I have barely gone near it. It is also awkward to maneuver it in and of the shed where it is kept which reduced the appeal of taking it out for a quick spin. My insurance is due for renewal in July (which is only around the corner) as is the MOT and Road Tax.

Considering the insurance will set me back about £800 (probably more now after this freaking ticket) and the road tax will be around £100 and the MOT around £300; it adds up to be an expensive hobby at £100 a month (excluding fuel). I think I am going to put it on ebay and try and get a quick sale while there is still a few months left on MOT and road tax.

I don’t want to do this as such, but it makes financial sense. It is a hard decision, but considering I will only want to ride the bike in nice weather (roughly half the year) the expenses are even greater. I have my license, so I can always decide to get a bike in the future. Essentially, this will free up more money for holidays and other fun stuff.

Does anyone have any examples of when they had to choose their head over their heart?

There are so many other things I could do with the money though. Since moving to London, I can’t have nearly as much fun on the bikes (roads are not nearly as good). I think I can use the money towards more exciting ventures! 🙂

Double Ugh!! Sorry about the ticket, I’ve been there too. (Got surprised by a speed change in an area I travelled frequently – missed the sign change, and paid dearly – $272!).

As for your bike… I almost bought one last year. I want one SO BAD!! But insurance here is insane ($300/month!!), and we only get 5-6 months of good riding weather. And so I drive my car, and look for opportunities to move to a warmer climate. 🙂Kris @ BalancingMoneyandLife recently posted..Debt Update – What We Owe, May 2012

This sounds really familiar! My BF sold his beloved Yamaha R6 after college since he couldn’t find a job within the first year. It was tough for him since he had it since he was 25. I remember he got a speeding ticket while on that thing because he WAS going 60 in a 40mph area. The cop was actually standing in a spot and hiding from him when he came out with the ticket. My BF decided to go to the area where the cop was standing and record it, and then he wrote a really long response and looked up laws that the cop was breaking by standing there. The court dropped the $500 fine and ticket, so it wouldn’t hurt to argue it. They might even reduce the fine?Shopping to Saving recently posted..Interview With Carla of Half Dozen Daily & Giveaway

It could have the opposite effect here though – Police are known for being stubborn – they could challenge me with an increased fine / more points. Think I will just be extra polite, apologise and take the hit. This tactic has worked in the past 🙂

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